Pedestrians to benefit from £400k Brixton revamp

Major improvements are to be made to footpaths in central Brixton early next year to make the area more attractive to pedestrians.

The £400,000 upgrade will see cracked and unattractive paving stones replaced, outdated bollards, posts and other clutter removed, and street furniture painted and improved.

The upgrade, in Electric Lane, Atlantic Road and Pope's Road, will take place between January and April 2008.

Other features of the work include an attractive new entrance to Pope's Road market at the intersection of Brixton Station Road, and a paved junction on the Atlantic Road/Pope's Road junction to slow traffic and allow pedestrians to cross more safely

The work has been funded by TfL after a bid from Lambeth Council, and the council will manage the work.

The improvements come ahead of a major £3million scheme to improve pedestrian areas along the main shopping area of Brixton Road, which is due to take place later in 2008.

Cllr Nigel Haselden, Deputy Cabinet member for transport and parking, said: "These works will greatly improve the local environment and help sustain Brixton as a great place to shop or to come for entertainment. We have listened to the local community in developing the proposals and I am sure they will be pleased with the end result.

"The fact that TfL are funding the works shows how strong our partnership with them is, and I look forward to completion of their works along Brixton Road next year and the further improvements they will provide."

Stuart Horwood, Chair of Brixton Market Traders' Federation welcomed the work: "I am delighted by the prospect of these long-awaited improvements for Brixton. The proposals will make a real difference to the local environment and have the full support of the local community."

The works include:

Electric Lane

• Widening the footway and creating a passing bay for vehicles
• Removing bollards and posts to allow more space for pedestrians
• Removing kerbs to improve access for pedestrians
• Attractive new paving
• Replacing old gates with a simple new access control system

Atlantic Road (Brixton Road to Coldharbour Lane)

• Laying attractive new paving
• Removing redundant posts and bollards
• Creating a paved junction with Pope's Road to slow traffic and allow pedestrians to cross more safely

Pope's Road (Atlantic Road to Brixton Station Road)

• Widen footways, incorporating market stalls
• Lay new paving
• Remove unwanted posts and bollards
• Create an attractive new entrance to Pope's Road market at the intersection of Brixton Station Road.